This knife won the Blade magazine Imported Knife of the Year for 2011!Butch Vallotton like most knifemakers started making knives as a hobby, had to start selling knives to pay for his hobby and before he was aware of it became a professional full time knifemaker in 1984 with a waiting list of customers at the age of thirty. A self-proclaimed gadget freak, a good part of his business comes from automatic knives and he is credited with inventing the ambidextrous blade thumb stud. His collaboration with Spyderco called the Vallotton Sub Hilt Folder features an ambidextrous thumb stud that both opens the blade (in addition to the Spyderco Round Hole) and doubles as a stop pin keeping the blade from rotating open beyond the locked position. A long time fan of Italian-style, heavy-stock folders the Sub-Hilt bears an international flavor with a modified coffin-shaped handle of polished black G-10 with tongue-and-groove tted stainless bolsters. Further complementing the handle is a Michael Walker LinerLock® a four-way: tip-up/tip-down, right- or left-handed steel clip and screw-together scale construction. Crucible Steel Inc. of New York produces the CPM-S30V powdered steel used for the modified Tanto-shaped blade. The blade is hollow-ground at the cutting edge with a convex-grind at the tip and is offered PlainEdged for the best available cutting performance.

Features

Butch Vallotton Design

Mild Drop Point with CPM-S30V Stainless Steel Blade

Smooth Black G-10 Handles

Specifications

Blade Length: 3-3/4" (95 mm)

Overall Length: 8-11/16" (221 mm)

Weight: 6.2 oz. (176 g)

Made in Taiwan

UPC Code: 716104009114

Badges

S30V Stainless Steel
A hardened wear and corrosion resistant stainless steel developed in collaboration with Chris Reeve. It is known for its improved sharpness and toughness. This is a premium grade steel only used in high end knives. Composition: Carbon 1.45%, Chromium 14.00%, Vanadium 4.00%, Molybdenum 2.00%

Pocket Clip
Includes a pocket clip for easy accessibility and a more secure carry.

G10 Handles
Formed in a sheet under high pressure by combining fiberglass and an epoxy resin binder. These handles are lightweight and shaped to ensure a solid grip.

Stunning example of Spyderco's quality: this thinly veiled homage to the classic italian stiletto, with small details recalling other traditional types of blades as well, is just a joy to handle. The beauty of the concept and the perfection of the execution are visible in every detail, from the polished G10 which reminds me of the best micarta, to the beautiful custom grind, which culminates in a tip design that you just have to admire. As with all things that possess real style, this blade does not trade function for beauty and possesses both in equal amounts: the feeling in your hand, slightly heavier than average pocket knives of this size and the incredibly smooth deployment tell a firmly clear tale of deadly engineering, from the very first second of you fondling it. The deployment is actually so smooth that rivals flippers, something of a real feat for a knife of this type. The liner lock is strong as you would expect in a hefty knife like this one. The hilt provides a vintage charm that is difficult to resist, especially with this design. The clip does its job although I always find myself thinking that a knife so beautiful, with such elegant lines, probably looks better after you remove the clip... but that is just me; I am not a big pocket clip fan. 10/10, worth every penny.

A superlatively built knife. I am sure if Rolls Royce cars ever started making knives they would not do a better job than this product. The whole feel of the knife is flawless. I use the knife for general cutting use but the knife is so attractive I do not use it for heavy work simply to retain the beauty of the knife.I have not sharpened the knife yet because it holds a good edge but I feel patience is needed when resharpening the blade owing to the unusual shape and grind of the blade on this knife. I enjoy sharpening knives so this is not a problem for me. I will finish by mentioning that I think Spyderco should always continue with the production of this knife if only as an example of a knife that is perfectly built for a moderate price

Heavy (I like). Sturdy. Sleek. Stylish & exceedingly well finished. It is a heavy knife and one of the thickest blades I've seen on a folder. The blade locks up with confidence and stays centered. The edge is very sharp, hollow ground and without blemish. The tip of the blade grind changes toward the tip from hollow grind to....well something different. I don't know what to call it. But it suits the blade and add's strength to the tip. The handles are black linen Micarta. Highly polished, accented with chrome liners and pommels. You have multiple carry options if you want to carry it (Where legal) but it is such a beautiful knife that actually using it would be a sin :-)

Automatic Knife Ordering Instructions

Only available to Police and Active Duty Military Personnel

Military or Law Enforcement personnel must verify their employment status. A copy of your identification may be requested by KnifeCenter.com.

Government employees seeking to procure these items in their official capacity must enter the order on their government procurement forms.

18 USC 1716 (G) (2) (1-4): Switchblades knives can be shipped to civilian and armed forces supply or procurement officers and employees of the Federal government ordering or procuring or purchasing such knives in connection with activities in the Federal government; supply or procurement officers in the National Guard, the Air National Guard or militia of the state or territory of the District of Columbia ordering, procuring or purchasing such knives in connections with the activities of such organizations; to supply or procurement officers or employees of the municipal government of the District of Columbia or the government of any state or territory of any county, city or other political subdivision of a state or territory ordering, procuring or purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of such government.

You can verify that you meet these criteria by doing any of the following: